Counseling Services Center

THE COUNSELING SERVICES CENTER IS HERE FOR YOU

     We have always been here for you from Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30. NOW, you have crisis counselor support after we go home. When you call the Counseling Services Center (315-312-4416) between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. or on weekends and holidays, you will be directed to call back during normal working hours if it is not an emergency.  IF HOWEVER, YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION and you need to speak to someone immediately, you will be directed to press 2. You will then be transferred directly to a crisis counselor.

 We offer hours between 8:30am- Noon and 1:00 - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our services are covered by the Student Fee so no need to bring your wallet or insurance card. We got you covered. We also have designated hours for students in distress which rotate daily. These designated hours do not need an appointment but we ask that you help us in determining the urgency as we want to make ourselves available to those who truly cannot wait for an allotted time. After office hours, there is an on-call service where a licensed mental health professional is available from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30. a.m. You simply dial 312-4416 and hit prompt number two.

The Center also offers access to psychiatry and has had the pleasure of adding Dr. Marija Mutabdzic to our staff on Mondays. Dr. Mutabdzic provides services that are only accessible by an initial appointment with a staff counselor or through the staff of Mary Walker Health Center. Dr. Mutabdzic provides expertise on psychotropic medication while working with the college population.

We also have other opportunities for students to access the Counseling Center with "Let's Talk", a Tuesday evening consultation counseling program available to any student who lives on or off campus.  "Let's Talk" is held in Oneida and Johnson Halls this fall from 3:30 to 7:30 pm.  See the "Let's Talk" page for more information.

We also have a Massage Chair located in our lounge at Mary Walker Health Center, free of charge. We just ask you call ahead to see if it is available.  See the "Massage Chair" page for more information.

This year we are rolling out a new program "Peer to Peer." We have recruited ten Peer Educators to be the eyes and ears of campus. The hope is to provide the Counseling Center with ideas, inspiration and innovation to extend our reach to students in need. The P2Ps will be staffing weekly information outreach tables located in the main concourse at the Campus Center on Wednesdays between 11am-1:45pm.  See the "Peer Educators for Counseling Services Center" page for more information.

Active Minds is an organization the Counseling Center sponsors to change the dialogue about mental health on the college campus.  It is a student run group always looking for new members to join in the mission of educating people about issues and allowing for positive communication about mental health.  Our current Co-Presidents: Melanie Hoffman and Kevin O'Keeffe are the contact people and can be accessed through the Counseling Center. 

The Counseling Center in partnership with Lifestyles will continue with Zen Meditation Hours this fall facilitated by Sam Gordon of the Zen Meditation Center in Syracuse. This hour offers instruction and application of meditation strategies. The Wellness Model has been a successful alternative to therapy and we invite campus and community participation.

We are available to provide programs for halls and support to staff and faculty. We offer refreshments on Opening Day with our traveling Chill Zone and warmth in February during our Random Acts of Kindness Week. If you should see an oversized dog strolling the campus during these events, give him a hug.

The point is we are here for you. You are not alone even if you are in a room by yourself; we are a phone call away.  My wish is for you to have a successful, enjoyable time at Oswego, learning, living and loving.

Peace

Maria

                                                                  
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Counseling Services Center Mailing Address:
Counseling Services Center
113 Walker Health Center
Oswego, NY 13126